Type 2 Diabetes Diet Snacks

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or the body's cells do not recognize its presence. Food intake directly affects diabetes because of the body's inability to regulate glucose levels, so knowing how to eat properly as well as how to snack during the day are often sources of concern for the type 2 diabetic.

Misconception

One misconception about type 2 diabetes is the need for regular snacking throughout the day. According to New-Treatment-for-Diabetes-Types.com, outdated medicine prescribed to diabetics caused hypoglycemia and diabetic shock and this brought about the belief that regular snacking between meals was necessary for the health of the type 2 patient. With the emergence of better medication, this is now recognized as a myth. In fact, snacking is likely to cause unnecessary weight gain, insulin resistance and high blood sugar. Get rid of the snack habit unless a doctor tells you otherwise.

Carb and Calorie Calculations

If a type 2 diabetic gets hungry during the day or feels like a snack is needed, then there is a formula for figuring out what to eat and what not to eat. It involves determining the amount of carbohydrates and calories contained in the snack.

According to Health.com, a good snack will consist of about 15 to 30 grams of carbohydrates and around 100 to 200 calories, depending on the individual meal plan and prescribed medications. The snack should also be a combination of fat, protein and carbohydrates just as any other meal should be.

Pay special attention to portion sizes and do not snack too much on what you consider to be a healthy food because it too can cause obesity and complicate the disease. Monitor all food that is eaten, and try to think of healthy snacks within the parameters mentioned above. Yogurt and fruit, berries, sugar-free chocolate pudding, cheese sticks and an apple or unbuttered popcorn may be good options.

If You Take Insulin

One type of patient that will need to have a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack is the insulin dependent diabetic. Those taking short or long-term insulin will need these snacks to regulate their blood sugar, according to Health.com.

Sweets Are OK

According to New-Treatment-for-Diabetes-Types.com, sweets are not prohibited in a diabetic's diet. In moderation, sweets do not harm diabetics, but do have the same negative health effects as anyone else. If too many are consumed, these snacks encourage obesity and are full of saturated fats that are harmful to anyone's health.